Let’s Ride

2023 MTB Guide

We’re highlighting the latest bikes we’re loving in four major categories, from cross-country to e-MTB, covering key features that will drive your buying decisions, and stoking stoke to land you on the best ride possible.

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A rider on a Yeti SB140 rides down a slab.

Trail Bikes

The Best For Sweet-Spot Riding

A trail bike’s versatile geo, mid-travel suspension, playful spirit, and uncanny confidence encourage you to relentlessly explore the full mountain range. This year, we can’t stop smiling when pitching the all-new Yeti SB140 29er into the berms and ripping to the next. A racing-forward front end paired with a stack height geared toward downhill stability make this rig feel 100% committed to unlocking the best of each feature, up or down the trail. UDH-compatibility and finely tuned, highly adjustable suspension are key features on this and the other top trail bikes in our 2023 selection.

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Trail Bikes of The Year

An MTB rider on an Ibis HD6 in fall apparel jumps a feature in an alpine tree forest.

Enduro Bikes

Drop In Sendsationally

If steeply pitched, tight grip descents, and big-feature air make your heart race, then enduro bikes should top your list for MTBs. Speaking of, the new Ibis HD6 is the long travel rig we’ve been tossing in the truck most often this year. Its mixed-wheel playfulness, pluuushh 165mm rear travel, and gyroscopic-feeling geo make every descent your personal playground. Check out the HD6 and our other top-scoring enduro picks.

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Enduro Bikes of The Year

An MTB rider descends a trail on Pivot’s Mach 4SL.

Cross-Country Bikes

Wicked Fast & Ideal For Small Features

Designed to excel on climbs and semi-tame trails, XC bikes keep you in a racing position while you charge over high-energy singletrack courses. Their short travel suspension and lightweight frames also make them ideal for foothills and days on fire roads. This year, Pivot’s latest Mach 4SL is our steed of choice. It’s not only the lightest they’ve ever made, but also steeped in suspension options to absolutely nail the precise setup you need. Check it out plus more top-rate XC picks below.

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XC Bikes of The Year

An MTB rider climbs a trail on Santa Cruz’s Bullit e-MTB.

E-MTBs

Big Capacity For A Big Ride

A few reasons e-MTBs might turn your head: a motor to help you chug uphill, a battery to take you far, and both combined to mix in with e-enduro racing. Santa Cruz’s Bullit is one that turned ours. A seemingly endless 170mm of gravity-focused travel paired with Shimano’s new mid-mount EP8 motor and 630Wh battery give the confidence to throw into the thick of it and the power and range to blast out if it. There’s a lot more to dive into with e-MTB, so take a look at our top picks and ask a Gearhead which specs match your needs.

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